Birkman

The Birkman Method® combines motivational, behavioral, and interest evaluation into a single assessment, that provides a multi-dimensional and comprehensive analysis, thus reducing the need for multiple assessments. The questionnaire is delivered online and should take about 45 minutes to complete. Dr. Robin uses it for:

A key benefit of The Birkman Method® is delineating the gaps between what you do and what you need. It identifies your usual-adaptive behaviors (often a personal strength), your needs, and likely behaviors you exhibit when your needs are not met (stress). It is one of the best ways to gain insight into, and provide non-judgmental language for articulating, negotiating, and taking responsibility for getting your Needs met.

Many assessments describe socialized, visible behavior. The Birkman Method® reaches further to analyze and report what drives and motivates behavior. We call these “Needs” — the expectations one has about relationships and situations in a social context. These Needs motivate personal actions and behaviors. When Needs are met, they drive behavior in positive and productive directions. Unmet needs can create potentially negative and less than productive behavior (Stress).

Birkman Reports are particularly valuable for actual and aspiring managers in business environments because they are used most often with that population. After taking ONE Birkman online assessment, Birkman can provide over 40 different reports that can be tailored to the needs of the individuals, teams, and organization using the Birkman Method. Dr. Robin facilitates sessions with organizational teams to learn to understand the information contained in their Signature and Birkman Insights reports. The group session also helps participants understand & see how other people are both similar to and different from them, while connecting their behaviors to their impact-effectiveness in managing themselves and others. Dr. Johnson’s colleague Char Sieg, works one-on-one to coach individuals using the Birkman Method. Both Dr. Johnson and Char Sieg are Birkman Certified Professionals.

Most of Dr. Johnson’s clients start with a Signature report that includes a summary Birkman Map of their motivating interests, personality, needs & stress behaviors. Each individual’s report will go into detail about the degree to which a range of interests (Musical, Artistic, Literary, Administrative, Numerical, Scientific, Outdoor, Technical, Persuasive, and Social Service) motivate them. This information, along with the other information in the Birkman assessment, contributes to the Career Exploration Report. Even if you are not trying to choose a career at this phase in your life, the Career Exploration Report can help you manage the projects and activities you do in your work life to increase your career satisfaction.

The nine Personality/Relational Components are core to Birkman:
* Social Energy (sociability, approachability)
* Physical Energy (preferred pace for action)
* Emotional Energy (openness & comfort with expressing emotion)
* Self-consciousness (sensitivity/diplomacy in one-on-one communications)
* Assertiveness (tendency to speak up-express opinions openly & forcefully)
* Insistence (approach to details, structure, follow-through, routine)
* Incentives (drive for personal rewards or preference to share in group rewards)
* Restlessness (preference to focus attention vs. seek varied activities)
* Thought (decision making process, time to decide, concern for consequences of your decisions)
For each of these components your Birkman report will describe your usual behavior, your internal need in regard to that components, and possible causes of stress for you as well as likely stress reactions if your needs are not met in that area.

Dr. Robin’s reports also usually contain several Birkman Insights pages in everyday language addressing topics that are helpful in establishing mentor-mentee relationships, team building sessions, peer-to-peer conversations, manager-direct report expectations/performance management/feedback conversations, etc.
Favorite topics include:
Accountability
Biggest mistakes others can make with you
Handling commitment
Handling conflict
How you prefer others work with you
Motivating you for best performance
Relational Disruptors
Trust
Your leadership style
Your possible ineffective tactics in meetings

A group Birkman session usually includes an engaging activity with the Birkman Map – a summary of each person’s motivating interests, strengths, needs and stress behaviors.